Next FMI Event: NICK DRAKE - From "Five Leaves Left" to "Pink Moon" Our next event on Friday 26th June, librarian Cameron Borg will be presenting a short lecture on the three studio albums that make up the recording legacy of UK folksinger Nick Drake. For many years almost forgotten, a new generation of musicians have found these three striking albums from Nick Drake to be inspiring works of creative genius. Where: FMI Reading Room When: Friday 26th June 2026 Time: 1pm-1.45 p

Q. The Bryant Park location of the New York Public Library features Patience and Fortitude, two large marble statues of what animal? Answer: Lion With thanks to New York Public Library.

Friday 31st July 2026 - 1pm MELBOURNE RARE BOOK WEEK event. Sci-Fi panel. Bookings open now through this external non-FMI link: Pounce fast if you want a seat - strictly limited tickets. https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/

Dear Members You may have noticed many changes in the library lately. Changes in location of books etc. our librarian has undertaken extra work to develop our collection. "A library should be like a flowing stream constantly in movement". The Footscray Mechanics Institute Library (FMIL) has been in its current Footscray site since 1913. Earliest records show FMIL as functioning in 1856! Currently it is open Monday to Friday 10am -4pm. The library has 20,000 plus titles. It

The FMI Library is proud to present Mary Healy launching her book "Heffernan of the Shamrock" in our Reading Room on Fri 29th May @ 1pm. As usual the event is FREE to members, with an opportunity to purchase a signed copy from the author.

Reminder to Members - Yes! We are open Saturday 18th April from 10am-1pm. A great chance to borrow some books for the weekend, and renew your membership for another year (if you haven't already done so).

Korung Vale Mechanics' Institute, Victoria Pic (c) Angela Philipoom 2025

The FMI is happy to present it's next free lecture to members on Friday 24th April 2026. The FMI librarian will take a look at the life and works of Beat author Jack Kerouac. Kerouac is best known for his classic novel "On The Road" , but he was more prolific than he is generally given credit for. Jack Kerouac published 14 works of fiction in his lifetime , including his famous 1957 novel " On the Road" , and authored at least 16 other books (novels, poetry, and sketches) tha

FMI EVENT - JAPAN - Friday 27th March - 1pm Reading Room FMI library will be running a workshop on the Japanese literature in the library collection as part of our last Friday of the month events. This will focus on Japanese literature translated into English only. The event explains some of the history of Japanese literature and finishes with the work of prize-winning authors. Event by Neil. Fri 27/3/2026 1pm FMI Reading Room FREE to members - no need to book

FMI Memberships renewal are due March 2026. Next time you're in grabbing your books, please check if your 2026 membership fees are due. Still only $10 p.a. and payable by cash or EFTPOS.

Saturday 14th February - FMI Library open for members - 10am-1pm Great chance to swap over your books for the weekend, especially if you work 9-5 on weekdays Please support this opening, as it's being trialled and will continue subject to support it receives

Is a book about cryptozoology. Now there is a word for you. A form of zoology which is about monster hunting, as in Loch Ness Monster for example. Monster is another great word derived from Latin via Middle English, it means something scary or to be feared. The title of the book punning on David Bowie's song is sub-titled 'in search of the worlds most hideous monsters'. The author Joly visits Canada, Japan, The Congo, Nepal, USA and Scotland in pursuit of you've guessed it -

FMI members please come in and borrow some books to get your 2026 off to reading start! We have many new books we purchased and processed last year, which we've unleashed onto our shelves for you to loan and enjoy. These "Quick Picks" are just a selection of some of our new titles.

Hi Members letting you know you can still visit the FMI Library while our portico is being retiled. Up until yesterday you could just ring the buzzer at the Reading Room door. Sadly our local maniacs decided to steal the door buzzer. I'm really not surprised. But don't despair just call me on 9687 1935 when you arrive and I'm happy to let you in to borrow books, esp. with the hot summer and Christmas break imminent. Happy reading! Cameron

The first book in the "Unstoppable" series is Charlie Jane Anders' "Victories Greater Than Death". I discovered Ms Anders' writing through Becky Chambers 'must read list' of upcoming Sci-Fi writers. And if you enjoy Becky Chambers sci-fi works, you'll be equally as impressed by Charlie Jane Anders. I suggested this book to one of our long-term Sci-Fi reading members and he claimed he 'gave up on it', but I could tell the pages had hardly been turned. Seems that some of the gr

Wondered what books we hold in our 22,000+ strong collection? Here's the link to the FMI Library Catalogue: https://bookmark.central.sa.e...

FMI EVENT - Friday 19th September 2025 1pm TALK and Q&A with DUNCAN BROOKES of Bush Search and Rescue Victoria https://www.bsar.org/...